THIS IS THE

CREDIT UNION

DIFFERENCE.

We are an alliance of credit unions helping members heal from the financial trauma of cancer through:

  • DEBT RELIEF

    A complete model for offering pauses for installment loan payments and interest up to 18 months to members in cancer-related financial distress.

  • FINANCIAL COUNSELING

    Best practices for guiding distressed members through the financial minefield of cancer, gathered from medical experts, Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors, and the rest of the LIFE OVER DEBT community.

  • CANCER CARE LOAN

    A loan with no payments or interest for 6 months to cover short-term financial struggles

  • STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    Webinars and educational resources for participating credit union staff about the realities of cancer-related financial distress

  • POWERFUL STORIES

    In-depth narratives about the members helped, and the credit union servant leaders who helped them, to inspire our communities and win legislative support.

  • MEDICAL RESEARCH

    Partnering with scientists to study the effect of these interventions and refining them over time.

OUR COMMUNITY:

Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer, Defense Credit Union Council

“[Enbright’s Life Over Debt program"] is just one example, but a very clear one, about how credit unions are different than banks.”

These are the boldest steps ever taken by any financial institution against cancer. Here’s why:

  • Half of all Americans will be diagnosed with cancer.

  • The annual out-of-pocket burden for adult cancer patients and caregivers in the U.S. can average over $31,000 per year.

  • In the first two years of cancer treatments, over 40% of patients lose their life savings.

  • African-Americans have the highest death rate, and lowest survival rate, of all racial and ethnic groups for most cancers.

  • Adult cancer patients are nearly 300% more likely to file for bankruptcy. When they do, their risk of dying early goes up by 79%.

Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer, Cornerstone Advisors and Forbes Magazine columnist

“If your organization is truly committed to improving the financial health of your customers/members, then you have to do (a lot) more than just provide financial education. Please check out Life Over Debt.”

CREDIT UNIONS WERE MADE FOR THIS.

LITERALLY.

The Umbrella Man was one of the original symbols of credit unions, created in the late 1920s by Joe Stern at the Boston Herald by request of industry pioneer Roy Bergengren.

It was designed to represent the everyday people at the heart of our movement, and our mission to protect them from the rainy days that threaten their financial wellbeing, no matter what.

Cancer is one of the worst storms our members will ever endure.

Let’s be their umbrella.